The letters of chapter six range from November 1787 to May 1789. The years of 1788 to 1789 were the end of an era for Adams and Jefferson as diplomats. Adams had asked Congress to relieve him of his position so that he could go home. Jefferson was unhappy because he felt that he needed Adams for advice. Jefferson thought Adams was quitting because he didn't like the behavior of the English, which turned out to be true.

Yet Adams was not released until the spring of 1788. In the meanwhile, he helped the United States pay its debts to Holland. The Americans had acquired debt during the war to France, but it was unpaid and interest payments had been suspended. But the French monarchy was much worse off. Since they were allies, Jefferson was embarrassed when French officers that fought for the Americans complained that they were not being given a pension...